The girls hand out cards and gifts, lead prayer… “Amen” …and show off
their dancing. Pastor Angelo Troy recalls a recent visit.

The Rev. Angelo Troy, Pastor, St. Peter United Methodist: “I had a
relative to die. The Butterflies came over. They sang a song and had a
prayer, and that uplifted me so much.”

Ten-year-old Briana Allen says the group’s name has a special meaning.

Briana Allen, 10-years-old: “In my classroom while we were talking about
the metamorphosis of a butterfly for science, something just popped up
and it said, ‘That could be a name of the group.’”

Program founder Betty Ewing witnesses the transformation. Girls bond
with their elders and look to them for guidance.

Betty Ewing, Butterflies Sponsor: “A lot of them, they’ll sit down and
they’ll talk to the girls: 'Respect your aunt,' you know. 'Do the right
things. Don’t hang with the bad crowd.'”

There are seven butterflies, ages six to 12. Amaya Flowers says they’re
often invited back for repeat performances.

Amaya Flowers, 6-years-old: “Some of them said that, ‘Could you come
another day and come see us again, because your voices sound good.’”

The Rev. Angelo Troy: “I think they’ll look back on this in their life
and this will be an important part of their life that they will never
forget.”

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Betty Ewing says she’s been contacted by other churches interested in
starting a similar program. More information on the Butterflies is
available from Saint Peter United Methodist Church at 910-582-6133.